BC-NH--New Hampshire News Digest, NH

Thursday

May 31, 2012 at 3:15 AM

New Hampshire at 2 a.m.

The breaking news staffer for Northern New England is Kathy McCormack in Concord, N.H. to be followed by Lisa Rathke in Montpelier, Vt., at 3 p.m. The breaking news staffer/Concord bureau can be reached at 603-224-3327. The breaking news staffer after 3 p.m. can be reached at 802-229-0577. New England News Editor Cara Rubinsky can be reached at 617-357-8100.

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HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER CONCORD — Former Republican Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt has apologized in his resignation letter for what he calls the "inexcusable lapse in judgment and integrity" that forced him to step down earlier this week. By Holly Ramer.

SEVERE WEATHER-NH

KEENE — Heavy rain floods and damages some roads in southwest New Hampshire, forcing two elementary schools to close.

ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:

— INCOME TAX — House negotiators have agreed to back the Senate version of a bill that would ask New Hampshire voters to approve a constitutional ban on personal income taxes.

— TAX VOTE — House and Senate negotiators have decided that lower taxes are a bigger priority than lower spending when it comes to a proposed change to the New Hampshire constitution.

— FETUS HOMICIDE — A bill that would expand New Hampshire's homicide law to include causing the death of a fetus is headed to the governor, who has said he has serious concerns about it.

— DRUG SENTENCE — A New Hampshire man is going to spend a minimum of 60 days in jail after pleading guilty to charges he sold cocaine out of the parking lot of a store in the Vermont town of St. Johnsbury.

— SUGAR HILL POST OFFICE — A rural post office in northern New Hampshire is now open just a half-hour a day for customers to buy stamps.

— BETHLEHEM FIRE-HOUSING — Officials say that finding permanent housing for families displaced by a fire in Bethlehem, N.H., has been a challenge

— FORMER OFFICER SUES — A former New Hampshire police sergeant in Weare whose lawsuit against the town was dismissed in federal court has filed a new claim in state court.

— COMMUNITY COLLEGES — Tuition at New Hampshire's seven community colleges will not increase for the 2012-2013 academic year.